FDOT breaks ground on I-4 truck parking facility in Sanford

Construction is underway on the first of five planned truck parking facilities along I-4, a project state and federal officials say will improve safety, reduce congestion and address Florida’s growing shortage of truck parking.Local, state and federal leaders gathered Thursday in Seminole County to break ground on the first site, located just off U.S. 17-92 near I-4 in Sanford.The Seminole County facility will provide 132 truck parking spaces and is part of a larger initiative that will add 917 truck parking spaces across Seminole, Volusia, Orange and Osceola counties. Addressing a growing demandAccording to FDOT, I-4 has the highest unmet demand for truck parking in Florida. As freight traffic continues to increase, officials say finding safe and legal places for truck drivers to rest has become increasingly difficult.”In Florida, truckers move 674.6 million tons of truck cargo through the state each year,” said Sean McMaster, administrator for the Federal Highway Administration.FDOT officials say many drivers currently have no choice but to park on highway shoulders, ramps or local roads when they run out of driving time under federal regulations.”Truckers right now are having to park on shoulders, on the side of the road, within residential communities,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said. “This is going to provide them a safe place.”Five locations plannedThe Seminole County site is the first project to move into construction.Additional truck parking facilities are planned at:Two locations in Volusia County, roughly four miles west of I-95 on I-4An Orange County location off I-4 near Florida’s TurnpikeAn Osceola County location off I-4 near the Osceola-Polk county lineFDOT says construction on the Seminole County site and both Volusia County facilities will begin this summer. Construction on the Orange and Osceola county sites is expected to begin in 2027.Once complete, the five facilities will provide a combined 917 truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor.Truck drivers welcome the projectTruck drivers say the additional parking will help reduce stress and improve safety at the end of long workdays.”For us this is really important because when we’re spending an hour of our day looking for a safe place, we’re increasing our stress level,” said Anthony Tirone, a Walmart truck driver. “It’s at the end of our 14-hour work day. Having a safe location to park makes it a lot more peaceful when getting to where we’re going.”Each facility will include restrooms, security features, lighting, picnic areas, vending machines and technology that provides real-time information on available parking spaces.Officials say the project will not only benefit truck drivers but also everyday motorists by reducing shoulder parking along I-4 and freeing up space at traditional rest areas.

SANFORD, Fla. —

Construction is underway on the first of five planned truck parking facilities along I-4, a project state and federal officials say will improve safety, reduce congestion and address Florida’s growing shortage of truck parking.

Local, state and federal leaders gathered Thursday in Seminole County to break ground on the first site, located just off U.S. 17-92 near I-4 in Sanford.

The Seminole County facility will provide 132 truck parking spaces and is part of a larger initiative that will add 917 truck parking spaces across Seminole, Volusia, Orange and Osceola counties.

Addressing a growing demand

According to FDOT, I-4 has the highest unmet demand for truck parking in Florida. As freight traffic continues to increase, officials say finding safe and legal places for truck drivers to rest has become increasingly difficult.

“In Florida, truckers move 674.6 million tons of truck cargo through the state each year,” said Sean McMaster, administrator for the Federal Highway Administration.

FDOT officials say many drivers currently have no choice but to park on highway shoulders, ramps or local roads when they run out of driving time under federal regulations.

“Truckers right now are having to park on shoulders, on the side of the road, within residential communities,” FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said. “This is going to provide them a safe place.”

Five locations planned

The Seminole County site is the first project to move into construction.

Additional truck parking facilities are planned at:

Two locations in Volusia County, roughly four miles west of I-95 on I-4An Orange County location off I-4 near Florida’s TurnpikeAn Osceola County location off I-4 near the Osceola-Polk county line

FDOT says construction on the Seminole County site and both Volusia County facilities will begin this summer. Construction on the Orange and Osceola county sites is expected to begin in 2027.

Once complete, the five facilities will provide a combined 917 truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor.

Truck drivers welcome the project

Truck drivers say the additional parking will help reduce stress and improve safety at the end of long workdays.

“For us this is really important because when we’re spending an hour of our day looking for a safe place, we’re increasing our stress level,” said Anthony Tirone, a Walmart truck driver. “It’s at the end of our 14-hour work day. Having a safe location to park makes it a lot more peaceful when getting to where we’re going.”

Each facility will include restrooms, security features, lighting, picnic areas, vending machines and technology that provides real-time information on available parking spaces.

Officials say the project will not only benefit truck drivers but also everyday motorists by reducing shoulder parking along I-4 and freeing up space at traditional rest areas.